Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
CONNOR
Maddie
*sent a photo attachment*
I’m cold, come heat me up?
Me
Can’t tonight
Maddie
I’m starting to think you’re avoiding me
Me
Srry—got a lot on my mind
Raincheck?
“Any clue when we’re going to get out of here?” I wipe my forehead with the bottom of my jersey before sliding my helmet back down in place.
We’re on a brief time out, while Coach reviews strategy with Ethan off ice. I’m already a panting sweaty mess after two hours of non-stop drills and judging from the determined look on Coach’s face I have a feeling we’re not about to be out of here anytime soon.
Luke shakes his head, knocking the tip of his skate against the ice to shake off some of the shavings caught in the blade. “Who knows. He is on a war path with us facing off against Boston next week.”
“When is he not?”
He snorts. “True. But it doesn’t help that we lost last weekend.”
“That’ll be you up there next year.”
He rolls his eyes at me like it’s not a given already. “It’s not official yet.”
“As good as. The whole team is backing you.”
“Thanks man. That means a lot.” He clears his throat, then a smirk spreads on his lips. “Besides I can’t wait to whip your ass into shape. You’ve been slacking.”
I grin. “I’m still beating your ass, aren’t I?”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“Or what? You’ll trip over your own stick again?” I can’t help the laughter that roars out of me, as he pushes me into the boards before skating away. I’m pretty sure he’s flipping me off under his glove when he raises his hand in my direction.
Coach blows his whistle, stealing our attention, while Ethan takes to the ice again.
“Any chance of getting out of here soon, Cap?” Luke asks, when Ethan passes us on a turn.
He shakes his head. “Not a chance.”
“That’s what I thought,” I groan, clicking the strap on my helmet back in place and taking up position on his right before the puck drops again.
Coach keeps us on the ice for another hour. I feel like my legs are about to give out under me by the time he finally lets us off. I’m the first off the ice and I barely make it three steps before collapsing onto the player’s bench.
I reach for my water bottle and down half of it before pouring the rest over me. The cold water and frigid temperature in the arena instantly cools me down.
“Hey Connor,” Ollie barks and I glance over my shoulder in time to watch him jump off the ice. The rest of the team is right behind him. He steps to the side, letting Aiden off after him. Our goalie barely glances at us before darting for the locker room.
“Yeah?”
“About Daisy,” he says, propping his chin on the top of his stick.
“What about her?”
“She’s single right?”
My stomach drops. “Don’t even go there.”
“What?” He pouts. “Just because you don’t notice a pretty girl when you see one, doesn’t mean that the rest of us have to pretend not to notice.”
The problem is, I have noticed. A little too much.
“That’s exactly what it means.”
He groans. “You know, you used to be fun. Now you’re just all of this pent-up frustration.”
“I’m not pent up.”
“Yeah? When was the last time you let loose? Because rumor is you stood Alison up last week.”
“Maybe he needs an outlet.” Luke jokes, appearing behind him after a final lap around the ice because he apparently never stops working.
“Mm, maybe he wants Daisy to be that outlet.”
I roll my eyes at their antics. “You’re both idiots, do you know that?”
“Oh, he definitely wants her to be the outlet.” Luke grins.
“No, I don’t.”
“So, you won’t mind if I put the moves on her?” Ollie asks.
I tighten my hold on the water bottle and the plastic crumbles beneath my fingers. Ollie pretends not to notice, but I see the way his grin widens. And when I finally do speak, my voice sounds all high pitched and weird. “Nope, I don’t mind at all.”
He grins. “Great, so you’ll bring her to dinner tomorrow?”
Fuck.
“Sure,” I force the word out and ignore their laughter ringing out behind me as I stagger off to the locker room. Yeah, I already hate this.